Star Wars Episode IV: A New Beginning

Chapter 8: Dinner With the Organas

Dinner with the Organas was anything but entertaining. Senator Organa's wife, Queen Breha Organa had endowed the young Skywalker twins with some presents, and now Anakin wanted to excuse himself from the highly political conversation, and spend some precious time with his children. He didn't want to be there, especially because Anakin could feel Bail Organa's eyes on him, skeptical of his every move.

Anakin looked down at his plate of star blossoms, a popular Alderaanian fruit he had tried that night for the first time. He preferred the shura fruit from Naboo or anything associated with the beautiful planet; as Alderaan was much too cold for his liking.
Anakin didn't want to sound rude or ungrateful for the dinner, but he couldn't bring himself to try the tip-yip and the star blossoms didn't seem appetizing.

Bail Organa monitored Skywalker cautiously. He couldn't comprehend the fact that Anakin could have committed the acts he was accused of. To the Senator of Alderaan, Skywalker was physically small and young, only being in his early twenties. Also, Anakin has his whole life ahead of him and it seemed reckless to be willing to throw it all away because of a false promise and then retract his decision instantly. Moreover, Bail couldn't help but notice that Anakin seemed extremely uncomfortable in the current situation, despite being known as a charmer and life of the party. Carefully, he devised a way to include the Jedi in the conversation without breaking his trust. "Anakin," he addressed specifically, "Do you know any other Jedi who may have survived Order 66?"

Padmé's eyes grew wide with surprise. Obi-Wan seemed equally shocked but tried to hide his alarm. "No," Anakin said plainly, "just me, Obi-Wan, and Yoda."

"What about Master Plo Koon?"

"Shot down by clones on Cato Neomodia."

"Aayla Secura?"

"Betrayed by her battalion on Felucia."

"Ahsoka Tano?"

"Don't say her name," Anakin growled, stabbing the fruit with his fork. Bail winced as the star blossom was mutilated.

"Okay," Organa tried to diffuse the situation, "last one. Have you heard from Shaak-Ti?"

Anakin's face darkened in a way that sent shivers down the royal Alderaanian couples' spines. "I killed her," he said slowly and clearly, owning up to his actions, "Stabbed her right through the back."

Bail Organa shuddered. The ultimate betrayal. He didn't like the confidence in Anakin's voice. He was proud. Bail noticed his head of security rush into the room, possibly because of Anakin's proclamation but the advisor, accompanied by Captain Typho, bore more startling news. "The Emperor? Here? Now?" Senator Organa shouted in alarm.

"The Emperor sent Commander Appo and a legion of Stormtroopers ahead of his arrival. He wants you to swear your allegiance to the Empire," the guard clarified, "but yes, the Emperor is on his way."

Obi-Wan shot his former Padawan a meaningful look. They weren't supposed to be on Alderaan or even alive. It was possible that the Emperor sensed something amiss, like the seeds of a rebellion, and wanted to pull out any weeds in his galactic garden.

"Captain, usher our new guests in slowly. I'll make sure the Jedi are somewhere safe," Senator Organa instructed. He spoke firmly, leaving no room for a contest.

"What about Padmé?" Anakin questioned as he stood up to leave.

"I think Senator Amidala should remain here for the time being. I'm certain the Emperor expected her, or someone else of great importance here," the Alderaanian answered. Did Skywalker always question orders?

Anakin thought about the Senator's response for a moment but didn't inquire any further. He and Master Kenobi rushed out of the large, ornate dining room as all traces of their presence were cleaned for the Stormtroopers marching down the hall.

"Must you question everything?"Obi-Wan asked, slightly agitated, "Do you understand that we are not supposed to be alive?" He didn't have the heart to ask about Anakin's slight outburst earlier but mentally noted that he should possibly mention his concerns to Anakin at a later date.

"Umm, yes?" The Hero With No Fear said, quizzically. Then, he smirked and added, "And yes." Anakin signaled the Negotiator to follow him down a dimly-lit corridor, leading them towards an air duct. Using his lightsaber, he carefully burned a hole through the intake hatch and set it on the ground. "Follow me."

Kenobi rolled his eyes "We were supposed to return to our rooms until further notice," he chided.

"Since when do we do that?" Anakin spun around quickly to face Kenobi, his lightsaber at the ready. "I can't let anything happen."

"But your safety-"

"Obi-Wan Kenobi," Anakin's voice wasn't his anymore. It was deeper and more commanding, "I am going back. I don't care if you come with me or not."

Reluctantly, Obi-Wan sighed in defeat and followed Anakin into the vents. Skywalker stopped for a moment when he saw the legion of Stormtroopers in shining armor march below him, and a few twists and turns, the Jedi found themselves overlooking the dining room.

"Can you see anything?" Anakin asked, miffed that Obi-Wan had found the air intake before him. The vent was large enough for only one person to peer through it at a time, and even with Force-Enhanced hearing, the conversation below was inaudible.
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Below the two Jedi, Padmé, Bail, Breha, and Captain Typho stood stiffly waiting for Commander Appo's arrival. The Senator from Naboo's eyes drifted to the air intake in the far corner of the room. She smirked, noticing a pair of bright, cerulean eyes shove a pair of gray-blue eyes out of the way. Her smirk faded and her face tightened as the Stormtroopers- as they were called now- filed into the room in perfect formation. These soldiers, unlike the clones she was used to, were a stark, bright white that reflected the light and gleamed with arrogance. She remembered how the 501st would have poked fun at such a shiny battalion. The lead Stormtrooper halted and his men followed suit.

This must be Commander Appo, Padmé thought, but you can't tell since they all look alike. She bit back a remark that would have made her husband proud.

"Good evening Senators, Queen Breha," Commander Appo started, "The Emperor senses a rebellion forming within the Imperial Senate. He would like all the Senators to know that any action against the Emperor and his rule would be treason, punishable by imprisonment or execution."

"We understand, Commander," Organa said, "but surely that isn't the only reason you came here tonight."

"It is not. The Emperor wants Alderaan to swear its allegiance to the Empire. You are to sign this document immediately." Appo ushered an identical Stormtrooper, who carried a briefcase, forward. "Senator Amidala, you are instructed to sign another document on behalf of the Naboo System."

"I expect these documents to be signed when the Ch-Emperor is present," Padmé stated drily. She mentally kicked herself for almost calling him the Chancellor.

"Yes," Appo droned, "We shall await his arrival."

Hello there! I really hope you enjoyed this chapter!! I'm finally getting into the action and I'm preparing to introduce some new characters!
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